Philippine President Marcos has ordered a probe into alleged foreign interference in May’s elections, following claims that China-backed troll farms aim to sway voters and promote pro-China candidates, accusations Beijing strongly denies.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has launched an investigation into possible foreign interference in the country’s upcoming May elections, following warnings from national security officials about suspected Chinese state-backed influence operations.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro called the reports "alarming" and said a full investigation would be conducted. The move came after a top National Security Council official testified in a Senate hearing about signs of Chinese information operations targeting the electoral process.
Senator Francis Tolentino presented what he claimed was evidence linking the Chinese embassy in Manila to local "troll farm" operations. He alleged that the embassy paid a local marketing firm to run online campaigns, citing a copy of a cheque he said was issued by the Chinese mission.
According to Tolentino, these troll farms were involved not only in spreading Chinese government messaging but also in covertly undermining the Philippine government and influencing public opinion in favor of pro-China candidates. However, he did not name any specific candidates.
China's foreign ministry and its embassy in Manila have denied all accusations, calling them false and politically motivated. They emphasized China's non-interference policy and accused Philippine politicians of using anti-China rhetoric for political gain.
The allegations come as tensions continue between Manila and Beijing, especially over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The upcoming elections will fill 317 congressional seats and thousands of local posts, with key focus on the race for 12 of the 24 Senate seats.
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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday that preparations are under way for a substantial business mission to Moscow, describing the vi...
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FIFA releases the 2026 World Cup schedule with match dates, venues, and key fixtures. See when host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada play and get an ov...
Hong Kong Police said that the death toll of people killed in the Wang Fuk apartment fire has risen to 159 while giving an update on their investigation into the incident on Wednesday.
The combined death toll from Typhoon Fung-wong and Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines has reached 259, with 114 people still reported missing, state media says.
At least two people have died in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Fung-wong battered central and eastern regions, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds that knocked out electricity across much of the Bicol region ahead of its anticipated landfall in northern Luzon.
The Philippines' weather bureau warned of life-threatening storm surges of up to five metres and destructive winds as Typhoon Fung-wong churns toward the country's eastern coast, where it is forecast to intensify into a super typhoon before making landfall on Sunday night.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has finalized the group stage for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, setting the schedule and matchups for next summer’s expanded 48-team event.
FIFA releases the 2026 World Cup schedule with match dates, venues, and key fixtures. See when host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada play and get an overview of group stage and knockout rounds.
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border late on Friday, a reminder of how sensitive the frontier remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for its support of the claims by United Arab Emirates on three Iranian islands.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu on Friday, a rare gesture seemingly reserved for the head of Europe's second-largest economy that highlights Beijing's focus on Paris in its ties with the European Union.
More than 60 Indigenous artifacts held in the Vatican for 100 years, including a rare Inuit kayak, arrived in Montreal, where First Nation, Métis and Inuvialuit leaders welcomed them home with ceremony, song and emotion.
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth defends follow-up strike on suspected drug boat in the Caribbean, denies authorizing the killing of all onboard, and comments on protocols for military operations.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday that preparations are under way for a substantial business mission to Moscow, describing the visit as an exclusively economic engagement.
Eighteen migrants drowned when their boat overturned 26 miles (40 km) south of the Greek island of Chrysi, after a Turkish cargo ship spotted the vessel and alerted Greek authorities.
FIFA releases the 2026 World Cup schedule with match dates, venues, and key fixtures. See when host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada play and get an overview of group stage and knockout rounds.
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